Question

The effects of World War II on India

1. Increase in bakery
2. Participation in war
3. The role of the National Assembly

Answer 1

1. Increase in bakery -
   • During wartime, England felt an increasing need for manpower and money. Therefore, the British Government began recruiting army personnel from India.
   • At times the recruitment was enforced on Indians. Extra taxes were levied on Indians for raising funds.
   • Taxes on trade and industries were raised. During the war period prices of essential commodities went up. Along with the inflation and hike in prices, Indians also suffered because of increasing unemployment caused by the industrial recession.
2. Participation in war -
   • India was involved in the war episodes happening in North Africa, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Greece, Myanmar and Malaya.
   • However, India contributed to the rehabilitation of Malaya, Indonesia and China after the war was over.
   • Indians in the Air Force of British India participated in the war at Assam and Myanmar, while Indians in the Navy of British India fought in the naval war in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
   • England exploited India and its resources heavily to achieve victory in this world war.
3. The role of the National Assembly -
   • September 1939 saw the emergence of the Second World War. Initially, it was England and France against Germany and Italy.
   • When England declared war against Germany, the Viceroy of India Lord Linlithgow announced that India also was joining the war, to support England.
   • The Indian National Congress protested against the Viceroy’s announcement. The Congress was against the German and Italian ideologies, which were inclined toward aggressive dictatorship and also against England’s colonialism inclined toward imperialism.
   • England claimed that it was fighting for protecting democracy in Europe. The Indian National Congress demanded that if England was true to its words then it should immediately grant India’s freedom.
   • The Congress also made a commitment that India, as an independent nation would help England in the war against Germany. It was also announced that if the imperialistic administration of the British Government in India was to prevail, then Indians will not help the British.
   • However, Lord Linlithgow announced that the British Government will not ponder upon any of the Indian issues till the end of the war.
   • Reacting to this announcement the Indian National Congress decided not to participate in any of the tasks related to war.